Movie Review: The Boat that Rocked (aka Pirate Radio)

In April 2009 Richard Curtis’ new film ‘The Boat that
Rocked’ (or ‘Pirate Radio’ in America) was released in the UK, based on the
pirate radio stations that were very popular during the 1960s. Radio Rock, the
pirate radio station in the film, is a fictional station that broadcasts from
the North Sea somewhere near the East coast of England, which at the time was
the typical sort of place for a pirate station to broadcast. The story centres
around ‘Young Carl’ (Tom Sturridge) who is sent onto the boat to stay with the
Captain, his godfather Quentin (Bill Nighy), by his mother (Emma Thompson)
after he is expelled from school for smoking weed and suchlike. As is later
observed by Thick Kevin (Tom Brooke), a boat full of promiscuous men (and a
lesbian) is probably not the best place to learn the error of his ways.

Along the way, Carl learns about love and sex from DJ Dave
(Nick Frost) and the mysterious Midnight Mark, as well as what it’s like to be
stabbed in the back when Quentin introduces him to his niece Marianne (Talulah
Riley), who he later finds in bed with Dave himself. While the film does focus
a lot on the aspect of sex, as you may expect from the 60s, it is not all
light-hearted comedy. For example, as someone who doesn’t have girls come to
visit him, Simple Simon (Chris O’Dowd) is astounded when a girl he’s known for
two weeks agrees to marry him. All becomes clear though after their wedding
night, when Elenore admits the real reason why she’s married him.

There are more serious undertones running through the film,
such as the sense of loyalty between the men, which is witnessed on numerous
occasions. This is most evidently displayed in The Count (Philip Seymour
Hoffman) whose fierce loyalty towards the station, captain and crew almost
costs him his life ... more than once. Used to being the top DJ, The Count
feels a strong sense of rivalry with Gavin, who he feels is attempting to usurp
his king-like status. So when Gavin breaks the trust of the other DJs, the
Count is the one to stand up for them and take Gavin down a peg or two.

But the worst of their tribulations comes from government
minister Dormandy (Kenneth Branagh), tasked with getting rid of the scandalous pirate
stations, with their ghastly pop music. Moving to make all pirate stations
illegal, Dormandy and his assistant Twatt (Jack Davenport) bring in the Marine
Broadcasting Offences Act 1967, preventing anyone broadcasting from sea since
the signal could interfere with distress calls from other ships. As the Act
comes into effect, the DJs at Radio Rock defy governmental expectations by
continuing to broadcast. With The Count at the (metaphorical) helm they all
risk imprisonment by staying aboard the ship, but staying true to what they
believe in leads to much more disastrous consequences.

I love this film for many reasons; the previously mentioned
mix of comedy and serious moments, the fact that the end makes me cry no matter
how many times I watch it, the fact that it is so colourful and the exceptional
soundtrack. If you lived through the 60s, like 60s music or have a pulse then
this film is for you. I don’t know anyone who has watched it and didn’t like
it.